At a Glance
- Tasks: Plan and prepare nutritious meals for students with specific dietary needs.
- Company: Fair Ways, a leading children's services charity dedicated to making a difference.
- Benefits: Flexible hours, health cash plan, holiday accrual, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Join a diverse team that values your unique perspective and contributions.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on young lives while enjoying a supportive and fun work environment.
- Qualifications: Level 2 qualification in health and safety or equivalent experience.
Who are Fair Ways and what do we stand for? Fair Ways is a leading children’s services charity based in the Solent, delivering Fostering, Education, Residential and Family services and cares for over 400 children, families, young people and vulnerable adults each year. Fair Ways is a great place to work. We are a team. We care about each other and are all committed to making a change to the lives of the young people and service users in our care.
Where and when do we need you? To support the exciting expansion of Fair Ways education provision, we are looking for a school cook to work as part of our fantastic team at our specialist Autism School (GLADE) located in Totton. This role requires an enthusiastic, reliable, well‑motivated person to plan, prepare and produce consistent, high‑quality lunchtime meals, supporting pupils with specific dietary, sensory, or medical requirements and in turn contribute to pupils’ wellbeing, readiness to learn, and daily routine.
As the school cook at our provision you will be involved in exciting and rewarding things like:
- Planning and Preparation – To be responsible for the planning of a range of meals for up to 20 students, working with the Head of School to ensure good oversight of budget management and that appropriate shopping is ordered each week.
- Cooking and Creativity – To prepare and produce a suitable 1 course lunchtime meal each day (Mon‑Thurs), using fresh ingredients, ensuring they are properly cleaned and stored.
- Food Service and Support – To serve food to our students, ensuring appropriate portion sizes and accommodating children’s dietary needs, sensory requirements and allergies.
- Cleaning and adherence to Health and Safety – To clear down and clean all kitchen equipment, utensils, and surfaces before and after food preparation maintaining a high standard of cleanliness and ensuring compliance with food hygiene and safety regulations.
- Stock management and monitoring – To monitor and manage stock and supplies through documented quality controls ensuring all required items are purchased, consumed within the required time frames and that there is minimal food waste.
Successful candidates will be working 4 days per week (Monday – Thursday) for 3 hrs each day for 40 weeks of the year. Successful candidates will be required to provide an enhanced Disclosure (DBS). This disclosure cost will be met by Fair Ways. Fair Ways are unable to provide VISA sponsorship for this role and all applicants will need to be able to provide evidence of right to work in the UK.
You and your specialisms Supporting roles within our frontline services help achieve our mission of making a difference through passionate care, support, and education. To support this, you will be required to have, or be working towards a minimum of the following qualification or skill levels:
- Level 2 or equivalent qualification for use of chemicals and cleaning equipment.
- A working knowledge & understanding of Health & Safety considerations and the legislation surrounding them.
- Practical skills necessary to undertake general building maintenance, minor repairs, porterage duties.
- Ability to maintain records, information and data as appropriate.
At Fair Ways, we care about your well‑being.
- Exciting Opportunities – Participate in free staff lotteries with amazing prizes.
- Work‑Life Balance – Enjoy a Holiday Accrual Scheme and the option to purchase additional holidays.
- Health and Support – Benefit from Simply Health, our health cash plan, and access to our Employee Assistance Scheme.
- Growth and Development – Unlock your potential with our Education Grant, offering funding for accreditation up to master's level.
- Wellbeing Matters – Experience team‑building days, summer festivals, and well‑being initiatives.
- Recognition and Rewards – Be appreciated for your dedication through annual Staff Awards and Long Service Awards.
- Supportive Community – Be part of our diverse workforce that embraces all communities.
Become a part of our community – We can’t wait to meet you! If you're passionate about making a difference and are ready to embark on an incredible journey, apply today and be a part of something amazing at Fair Ways. Join our team and help shape brighter futures!
School Cook in Southampton employer: Fair Ways
Fair Ways is an exceptional employer located in Southampton, dedicated to making a meaningful impact on families' lives. With a strong focus on employee well-being, we offer comprehensive benefits including holiday accrual and health plans, alongside ample opportunities for personal development in a supportive work culture. Join us to be part of a team that values your contributions and fosters growth while you help families navigate their challenges.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land School Cook in Southampton
✨Get Involved in Local Events
Check out foodie festivals, farmers' markets, and local fairs in your area. These are perfect opportunities to meet restaurant owners and managers face-to-face, and they often look for part-time help during busy seasons.
✨Join Hospitality Groups
Connect with local hospitality groups on social media platforms like Facebook or Instagram. These communities frequently post about part-time job openings that aren’t advertised elsewhere, plus it’s a great way to engage with the food scene in your area!
✨Show Up in Person
For part-time roles in the hospitality sector, don't underestimate the power of a walk-in. Grab your best smile and pop into local cafés or restaurants with your CV in hand. It shows initiative and can really make you stand out!
✨Apply Through Our Website!
Don’t forget to check out the openings at Fair Ways and apply directly through our website! We love seeing friendly faces and you’ll be surprised how many part-time roles pop up that may not be listed on job boards.
We think you need these skills to ace School Cook in Southampton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Service Skills:In the hospitality and food service industry, showcasing your customer service experience is key. Be sure to highlight relevant roles in your CV or cover letter where you’ve directly engaged with customers—this could be from previous waitressing, barista jobs, or any roles that involved teamwork and communication. You want to convince us at Fair Ways that you can keep it cool under pressure!
Certifications Matter:If you’ve got any hospitality-related certifications—like food safety or first aid—definitely mention those! Including these credentials can set you apart from other applicants. It shows us that you're serious about the health and safety standards we maintain here at Fair Ways.
Flexibility is Your Friend:Since this is a part-time role, we’re looking for someone who can work various shifts. In your application, it’s useful to outline your availability clearly. Make it easy for us to see when you can jump in and help out—this shows that you’re committed and ready to adapt!
Let Your Personality Shine:In hospitality, personality plays a vital role. Use your cover letter to share why you’re passionate about food service and what brings you joy in helping customers. A personal touch can make your application memorable and help us at Fair Ways get a sense of who you are beyond your experience!
How to prepare for a job interview at Fair Ways
✨Show Off Your People Skills
In hospitality, your ability to work with customers and team members is crucial. Be prepared to share stories that highlight your experience in handling customer service situations, especially any tricky ones. We want to hear how you turned a potentially negative experience into a positive one!
✨Know the Menu Inside Out
You might get quizzed on the menu items or asked about your favourite dishes. Brush up on any special offerings at Fair Ways and demonstrate genuine enthusiasm for their food. This shows you’re not just looking for any job, but you’re genuinely excited about working with their team.
✨Flexibility is Key
As you're going for a part-time role, emphasise your availability and willingness to work various shifts. Mention any instances where you've gone above and beyond for scheduling or helped out during busy times. This flexibility can make you stand out from the crowd!
✨Role-Play Scenarios
Be ready for role-play scenarios during your interview! Employers love to see how you handle on-the-spot situations, like dealing with a dissatisfied customer or managing a specific request from a patron. Practising these scenarios with friends can help boost your confidence.
